The In-States: More Local Prospects The Hilltoppers Should Look At
Piggy-backing off of my previous article highlighting in-state prospects, I narrowed in on the southcentral Kentucky area, closer to Bowling Green, to seek out prospects the Hilltoppers could go after in an attempt to take over the Kentucky recruiting trail.
Between Logan County and Owensboro Catholic, amongst others, I’ve highlighted nine prospects below that could impact the Tops future in in-state recruiting:
Dane Parsley | 2025 | QB/ATH | Warren East: Parsley had an incredible 2022 campaign that pushed him into freak status. Last season, the Raiders quarterback threw for 1,880 yards and 30 touchdowns to just five interceptions. On the ground, Parsley rushed for 1,562 yards and 27 touchdowns. Unreal statistics from the 2025 prospect. This season, Parsley has combined for 511 yards and two touchdowns through four games. Parsley would be a strong offensive weapon to develop for any school.
Ridge Holman | 2026 | QB | Logan County: The six-foot-three, 200 pound quarterback has been nothing short of exceptional for the Cougars through the 2023 campaign thus far. Holman, through four games, has completed 60 of his 100 pass attempts for 805 yards and nine touchdowns. The young quarterback will continue to build his name in the state in big ways.
JaCoveon Temple-Dickerson | 2027 | WR | Russellville: Temple-Dickerson has been the go-to guy for the Panthers this season. Through three games, JTD has put up five receptions for 166 yards and three touchdowns. The speedy receiver is a playmaker with the ball in his hands and should carve out a lot of attention from the state soon.
Josh Collins | 2024 | OLB | Warren East: Another Raider on the list, this time on the defensive side of the ball. Through his first three games, the six-foot, 235 pound linebacker has compiled 43 total tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Collins adds good power and exceptional vision to any defense, reacting well to the ball. The senior is a likely candidate to garner attention as the season goes on.
TelTel Long | 2024 | RB | Greenwood: Long, a senior on the Greenwood squad, leads the Gators in all receiving and rushing statistical categories. The five-foot-eleven, 180 pound running back has posted 396 rushing yards, four rushing touchdowns, 151 receiving yards, and two receiving scores across four games so far. Long fits the vision of the Western Kentucky backfield: speedy ball carriers with dynamic receiving abilities.
A Duo! | Devontre Patterson/Keiovon Wells | 2024 | RB(s) | Warren Central: I couldn’t pick one, so I picked both. Patterson and Wells each come with the abilities of a collegiate running back. Patterson (six-foot-two, 215 pounds) leads the Dragons in both rushing and receiving yards, recording 218 and 174 yards each, respectively, attached to four total scores. Wells (five-foot-nine, 175 pounds), a slippery and speedy back, has recorded 161 rushing yards and 45 receiving yards.
Brady Atwell | 2025 | QB | Owensboro Catholic: Atwell has had a phenomenal 2023 campaign so far, with a 16:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio and a 72% completion rate on his 1,162 passing yards. The six-foot-three, 225 pound passer has also recorded 174 yards and six scores on the ground. His frame, athleticism, and effortlessly big arm will go a long way.
Aiden Howard | 2024 | OT | Madison Central: Howard is a tall, long, and lean natural pass protector based out of Richmond, standing at six-foot-five. With the WKU offense being geared towards and committed to the Air Raid attack, landing a commitment from an offensive tackle like Howard would be impactful.
I've said it several times, but in a state that includes an SEC and ACC, it's important that Western Kentucky gets ahead and wins the state's recruiting trail, and that begins with looking at the upcoming class and all the way through 2027.
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